Choosing an engagement ring is one of the most important moments in life—it symbolizes love and a shared future. If you’re a man who wants to propose (maybe as a surprise), it’s completely normal to have a hundred questions at once: what size, what design, what stone, how much it costs, and how can I be sure she’ll truly love it?

In this article, I’ll give you a practical, calm “roadmap” for choosing an engagement ring so the result feels confident and right.

Quick Summary

• Size: don’t stress—most rings can be resized later. If you’re between two sizes, choose slightly bigger.
• Design: look at what style she wears day to day (minimalist vs statement).
• Stone: if you want the diamond to sparkle, prioritize Cut.
• Budget: the “2–3 months’ salary” rule doesn’t apply—choose based on what you can comfortably afford.
• Most important: choose a ring that’s comfortable to wear every day, not just in photos.

1) How to Find Your Partner’s Ring Size?

Ring size feels like the biggest stumbling block for many people—especially if you want it to be a surprise. Luckily, there are several good options.

1) Borrow one of her rings (the most reliable)

If she has a ring she wears on the correct finger, then:

• borrow it briefly (for example during a shower, workout, or while she’s sleeping)
• take it to a goldsmith/jeweler to be measured

Small tip: don’t borrow the ring she wears every day—otherwise you risk the “where is my ring?” situation.

2) Involve a friend / sister / mother

This is the most elegant “spy” option:

• someone close to her casually asks her ring size
• or takes her to try on rings as a joke

3) Go try on rings together

If the topic of engagement is already on the table, this is actually a very good solution:

• you’ll get the exact size
• you’ll confirm the exact style
• and it becomes a nice shared memory

Important: even if the size isn’t perfect, you can usually resize the ring later. So it should never be the reason you don’t buy the ring.

2) How to Choose the Engagement Ring Design?

The design is what she’ll see every day. So the question isn’t only “what’s beautiful?” but “what’s her style?”

Look at her everyday style

Ask yourself:

• does she wear more minimalist jewelry or statement pieces?
• does she like classic, modern, or vintage style?
• does she prefer white metal (white gold) or warmer tones (yellow/rose)?

Also think about practicality

If she’s active and does a lot with her hands, then:

• a low setting (a lower-set stone) is often more comfortable
• a very high stone can snag and feel “in the way”

If you’re unsure, go timeless

If you’re not 100% sure, timeless classics work almost always:

• one center stone
• a clean, balanced design
• a comfortable profile

3) How to Choose the Stone? (For Diamonds: the 4Cs)

The stone choice affects both the look and the price. For diamonds, people talk about the 4Cs:

• Cut
• Clarity
• Color
• Carat

1) Cut – the most important

Cut determines whether a diamond sparkles.

If you want the stone to feel “wow,” keep the cut high: Excellent/Ideal (or at least Very Good).

2) Clarity – aim for “eye-clean”

Clarity refers to inclusions (tiny imperfections inside the stone).

A practical goal for an engagement ring: eye-clean (clean to the naked eye).

Very often, a great choice is VVS1–VS2 (depending on the shape).

3) Color – choose based on the metal

• Visually white: D–J
• Slight yellow tint: K–M
• Yellow tint: N–Z

4) Carat – size, but not only

Carat is weight. The price jumps quickly as carat increases, so a smart choice can be:

• a slightly smaller carat, but better cut
• or a shape (oval/pear/marquise) that looks larger at the same carat

Natural vs lab-grown diamond

• a lab-grown diamond is a real diamond—just with a different origin
• often you can get a larger or higher-quality diamond for the same budget
• a natural diamond is the traditional choice with the “from the earth” story

4) How Much Should an Engagement Ring Cost?

Forget the “2–3 months’ salary” rule. Today, it’s smarter to choose based on:

• what fits your budget comfortably
• what matches your lifestyle
• what design stays high-quality and timeless

Many choices often fall in the €1200–€3000 range, but you can build a great ring in other ways too (for example: lab diamond, simpler design, smaller carat, better cut).

5) Quality and Trust: What to Always Check?

Before you decide:

• ask for a diamond certificate (for example GIA / IGI / HRD)
• make sure the design is durable and wearable for everyday life
• confirm whether the ring can be resized later (usually it can)

Summary

The right engagement ring isn’t the one that’s “most expensive” or “biggest.” The right engagement ring is the one that:

• matches your future fiancée’s style
• is comfortable to wear every day
• is high-quality and timeless
• and feels like the right choice to you

If you want, you can also write to me with:

• what metal she wears (white/yellow)
• what style she likes (minimal vs statement)
• and your approximate budget range

and I’ll suggest 3–5 very specific directions to move forward with.